In Reply To #10 San Fran has a lot of good beer places. I'll try and remember to do some research for ya, if your definately going.

In Reply To #11 It seems to be official. They expect me to start the day after labor day! The office is actually in South San Francisco, right on the bay. The duration of my stay is estimated to be about 4 months, but estimates of time in my business are usually as worthless as a tissue paper umbrella in a category 5 hurricane. This could seriously interfere with my website work!

In Reply To #12 Not to worry, Flash--me 'n' MB'll hold down the fort for ya untill you return!!

In Reply To #12 Dude, if you have a weekend that you want to take a trip down here to San Diego, let me know, I'll show you all the good beer spots down here.

In Reply To #14 Isn't it a long trip from San Fran to San Diego? The online maps say about 8 hours. That's crazy... I can drive through like 8 states in that time around here!

In Reply To #15 Yeah, it's about a 6 hour drive from what I hear, but hell, if your going to be here for 4 months, a drive down here might be worth it.

My flight leaves in exactly 12 hours! I have my own suite with a full kitchen (that means a fridge for my beer!) and a rental car. I'm so excited. I'll be returning home every other weekend so I'll be able to carry home a lot of beer :)

In Reply To #17 Make sure you take a trip along the Russian River and hit a dozen or so vineyards. By far the best drinking in Ca. is not bier or ale, it is the wines from the Russian River area, and damn near any other place the in the state as well. Some of the Zins go up to almost 17%, not to mention the dozens of other varieties, and the variation between growing regions is amazing. If you like port, hit Lake Sonoma. The Russian River road ends in Healsburg, and there you can find Bear Republic, a very decent brewery that lagers its IPA unlike the majority of Cal breweries that are on a two week pitch to pour program. Hop Kiln, Amphorea, Davis Bynum, Joseph Swan are just a few wine producers that are a must.

In Reply To #18 Well thats all personal preference there. I would say by far that Cali is better for beer than wine, and I base that on the breweries in Southern Cal. We need to get Brad some Alesmiths and Stones and Pizza Ports.

In Reply To #19 Personal preference aside-have you ever spent a few years drinking vino in California? The bier here-I am visiting till Oktober 1 is nowhere as good as the dozens of styles of wine in this state. Try som Joe Swan 2000 Zin-16.5 % or the local ports. Make damn sure you hit the Winterbock release at the Gordon Birch in Palo Alto, give em a call just before Turkey Murder Day, it is a great good time. Hit Toranado in Oktober for a first rate selection of German biers. What we really do well here is hasish and pot, but that is another forum!